12/20/07
‘Cypress After 5’ announces its 2008 concert season
By Cathy Gilbert

CLEVE DOWELL/Manning Times

As in years before, concert-goers at the Cypress After 5 concerts should prepare to dance the night away to a variety of musical styles including beach music, big band swing and the piano stylings of noted keyboard artist, Tim McLendon.

You may want to jitterbug.

Or maybe try your hand at “The Shag.”

Or perhaps your style is just to grab your special someone and sway … no matter what the rhythm.

But one thing is for certain, your dancing shoes had best be in good shape as the 2008 Cypress After 5 concert series debuts in January.

The Cypress After 5 series is a fund raising project of the Cypress Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Clarendon Health System.

The series kicks off with The Headliners on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008.

Submitted Photo

The Headliners, one of th southeast’s most requested bands, will kick off the 2008 Cypress After 5 concert series on Jan. 11.

The Headliners are quite possibly the most requested band in the Southeast and play over 200 shows a year. This six-piece band features two vocalists, a horn section, guitarists, a keyboard player and drummer. From classics of the 50s and 60s to today’s hits, the Headliners cover it all and you should definitely prepare to dance!

There will be a change of pace for the next concert on Feb. 15. Bring your sweetheart and enjoy the American String Orchestra’s tribute to Benny Goodman. Black tie is optional, but dancing shoes are mandatory. In addition to the fabulous music of Benny Goodman, you’ll also hear tunes by Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Glenn Miller, among many other swing favorites.

Welcome spring back to Clarendon County with the piano stylings of South Carolina native, Tim McLendon. This outstanding pianist is a veteran of the cruise ship industry and certainly knows how to entertain an audience. Be sure to be ready for a fabulous time as McLendon brings down the Cypress Center house on March 14.

Tim McLendon

A bonus concert is available in April when legendary beach band, The Catalinas, will be on stage on April 18. Best known for their 1975 beach hit, “Summertime’s Calling Me,” this band has been entertaining for more than 30 years. Get out your beach shirts and flip-flops and prepare to Shag the night away.

This concert series is just one of many community activities that the Cypress Foundation supports.

“The annual Health Fair at the Cypress Center, the Clarendon Health System Ambassadors and many other behind the scenes projects keep the members of the Cypress Foundation at the forefront of the many good things happening in Clarendon County,” according to Foundation executive director Scherrie Cogdill.

“The Cypress After 5 concert series is just one of many ways we try and include the entire Clarendon community in our activities,” she added.

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The Catalina’s will bring a beach music bonus concert to the Cypress Center on April 18. Don’t forget your Shaggin’ shoes!

Tickets for the three-concert series, as well as the bonus concert in April are limited. The three-concert series tickets are $90 and the bonus concert, which may be purchased separately, is $30. All tickets include a scrumptious heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine and dessert buffet before the concerts. Tickets are available at The Zone in the Cypress Center, at Cogdill’s on Main in Summerton or at the Foundation’s temporary headquarters at 23 South Mill Street.

For more information on the Cypress Foundation, call 435-5246 or 433-4336.